“Unnie!”
“Youngmi!”
Hyungju can remember calling out the girl’s name, hoping somehow, some way, she could force the door open, and save her. But those are useless hopes— childish wishes. She can remember the light draining from Youngmi’s eyes shortly after the sound of the gunshot responsible for taking the other girl’s life rung in the air. Her hand grasped the little window in the door so hard it hurt as she called out Youngmi’s name over and over again, hoping her calls will make the girl miraculously come back to life, with those soft brown eyes she has very much gotten used to.
She also remembers the guard. The one responsible. The mask hid the identity of the monster who took away her happiness, but she stared at the person so intensely it felt like she was trying to kill them with her eyes. Sadly, it wasn’t as effective as she believed it would be.
In this moment, she was curled up in Youngmi’s bed, unable to say goodbye… not ready just yet. Images of Youngmi and her time with her flashed in her mind, harsh reminders of the girl she currently yearned for.
She can still feel the tingling of the warmth of their hands intertwined perfectly together, as if thats where they were always meant to be. Their hands stayed there for an extended moment— even after she comforted the smaller woman. She remembered the girl’s quivering subsiding, returning her warm smile as soft eyes met. She wishes she could see that smile of hers that she cherished one more time.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she linked her two lonely hands together, wishing—hoping that someday, she’d feel the warmth of the other girl’s hand resting on hers like it used to, their hands always finding each other every time they got close— a small sense of comfort in this brutal place.
But that’s gone now, isn’t it? Youngmi’s blood now runs cold as her body is no longer able to generate heat, and her once gentle but firm grip on her would now be lifeless and limp. She seeks a comfort— a reassurance that she will never have again. She is grateful for player 149’s comfort after the game, however she cannot help but feel hollow and dull, making no effort to talk anymore— her throat was dried up from calling out Youngmi’s name with such intensity, it could most likely break down the door. But she couldn’t do that to the other people in here- especially player 222. She was near her due date, and if she died now… well.. it would be foolish to risk her life.
The thing she’d wonder about the most was if she felt the same. At first, words and actions shared between them were shy— mostly hesitant. But after some time together, there were more intimate moments between them. Things like complimenting and even sometimes things like sharing a bed (well, for safety, of course!) was common between the two. But sometimes… she’d have the strangest feeling, when her face would flush, and heart would beat just a little bit faster in her chest.
“Unnie, you’re beautiful.” Her? Beautiful? She almost giggled at how much she felt she couldn’t believe someone would say that about her. But.. the way the girl turned her head back to her bunk… the softness in her movements and the seriousness on her face. That wouldn’t be a memory she’d soon forget at all.
Why?! Why couldn’t she have just pressed the red button the first time? They would’ve (probably) all gone home, and Youngmi would still be alive. But instead, she pressed the opposing button, keeping the others trapped, and being one of the reasons her dear friend was gone.
Hyunju regrets everything. Pressing that stupid blue button over and over again, knowing she was risking lives. Not spending more time with Youngmi, when she knew anything could happen to either of them. But it was too late. In this prison, this… hell.. she couldn’t break down and never get up again, no matter how much she wanted to, how much she felt she needed to. All she could do now was live in memory of her late friend.
“Goodbye… Youngmi…” She whispered to no one, heavy eyelids guiding her now relaxed body into a state of unconsciousness.